Brendan Fevola reveals how he was pulled from the depths of depression after split from his wife

Brendan Fevola has revealed how he was was pulled from the depths of depression as he battled a gambling addiction and alcoholism after a rocky split with his wife.

The former AFL star admitted he ‘didn’t realise’ the extent of his mental health problems until he was ‘saved’ by ex-Brisbane Lions Coach Alex Voss.

‘I didn’t really know there was too much wrong, I was in my own bubble doing what I thought was something I loved which was footy,’ Fevola told the What’s Your Problem podcast.

‘Then I got injured and a lot of things happened in my life, as you said separation is a key factor, my wife left me.’

Fevola, a genuine star of the game, was never far from controversy during his AFL career.

Brendan Fevola (right with partner) has revealed how he was was pulled from the depths of depression

Fevola split from his wife Alex in 2006, after 14 months of marriage

Fevola and his on-again-off-again wife (pictured in 2007) reconciled before officially signing the divorce papers in 2014

He split from his wife Alex in 2006, after 14 months of marriage, following accusations he was in a relationship with model Lara Bingle.

Fevola and his on-again-off-again wife reconciled before officially signing divorce papers in 2014.

Fevola told the podcast he was in Brisbane when he decided to open up to the then Lions coach, despite having great relationships with previous mentors.

‘He didn’t know me too well but he knew something wasn’t good because things were sort of derailing a little bit, the wheels were starting to fall off,’ Fevola said.

‘I just felt like Vossy was that bloke – I don’t think he likes me much anymore – I felt like he was a good listener and he could help me.’

Fevola admitted it was quite ‘weird’ how he managed to share everything with Voss, who he hasn’t spoke to since leaving the Lions.

‘I didn’t really know there was too much wrong, I was in my own bubble doing what I thought was something I loved which was footy,’ Fevola (pictured with partner Alex) told the What’s Your Problem podcast

‘Then I got injured and a lot of things happened in my life, as you said separation is a key factor, my wife left me,’ Fevola said

Fevola, a genuine star of the game, was never far from controversy during his AFL career

Voss told Fevola it was time to get some help, which was ‘like 100kg had been lifted off my shoulders’.

‘He said we need to get you some help, we’ll do this, we’ll do that and God I felt amazing,’ Fevola said.

‘Finally I was saying this is what happened, I punted on this and I’ve done that and I’ve lost this much money, this is what happened with my wife.’

Fevola checked into the New Farm mental health clinic at the beginning of 2011.

‘I was supposed to be in there for seven days, ended up being there for about 70 so there were a few issues going on that I didn’t really know about cause I never spoke about it, it was all bottled up inside,’ he said.

The former AFL star admitted he ‘didn’t realise’ the extent of his mental health problems until he was saved by ex-Brisbane Lions Coach Alex Voss (right)

Fevola told the podcast he was in Brisbane when he decided to open up to the then Lions coach, despite having great relationships with other coache

Fevola said he came out a ‘better person’ after his stay at the mental health clinic, where he learned to smarten up

Fevola recalled being ‘hammered’ by the media when he first entered the clinic, with reports claiming he was ‘weak’ and unable to cope.

He added the media has come a ‘long way’ in reporting how sportspeople fall victim to mental health struggles.

Fevola said he came out a ‘better person’ after his stay at the clinic, where he learned to smarten up.

‘It literally was the best thing that ever happened to me because it got everything out,’ he said.

He believes he had a purpose during his stay at the clinic as he was able to help another patient, who dressed in black and would sit on her own.

‘It literally was the best thing that ever happened to me because it got everything out,’ Fevola said about the mental health facility

Two years after his divorce in 2014, Fevola announced he was engaged to his ex-wife

After several weeks at the facility, Fevola said the woman began to dress in colour and engage with other patients as the duo became friends.

Fevola knew when it was the right time to leave the clinic as he had to get back to his three daughters and ex-wife who needed him back at home.

Two years after his divorce, Fevola announced he was engaged to his ex-wife and they welcomed their fourth child in 2018.

Fevola and Alex share two other children, daughters Leni, 12, and Lulu, eight.

The footy star is also a stepfather to Alex’s teenage daughter, Mia, from a previous relationship.

Fevola played for the Lions for one season and retired from AFL in 2011.

He previously played for Carlton where he kicked 575 goals in a ten-year stint at the club.

The couple welcomed their fourth child in 2018. Fevola and Alex share two other children: daughters Leni, 12, and Lulu, eight. The footy star is also a stepfather to Alex’s teenage daughter from a previous relationship, Mia